Manufacture of journal boxes



.Fume 9, 1936. y H QI NEKOLA MANUFACTURE 0F JOURNAL BOXES 4 Sheets-Sheetl UNF ATTORNEY IFune 9, 1936;

H. 'QNEKoLA I MANUFACTURE OF' JOURNAL BOXES Filed Feb. 2, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY .June 9, 1936., H. NEKOLA 2,043,551

MANUFACTURE OF JOURNAL BOXES n Filed Feb. 2, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTQR: 7

ATTORNEY June 9, 1936.` H. o. NEKOLA MANUFACTURE of JOURNAL BOXES4'sheets--sneet 4 Filed Feb. 2, 1933 INVENTOR Hr/y lh BY ATTORNEYPatented June 9, 1936 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANUFACTURE or JOURNALBoxes of Ohio Application February 2, 1933, Serial No. 654,820

.5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the production of journal boxhinge lugs particularly adapted to cooperate with a lid of the typeincluding a spring urged lever which coacts with the outer nose of thelug to maintain the cover in journal boxes having worn or otherwiseunsuitable lugs and adapting them for proper cooperation with a lid ofthe type shown in my prior patent.

A type of journal box lug commonly employed l5 in the past consists ofspaced walls providing narrow bearings for a pin, between which bearingsextends a hollow portion of the lug having a forward face against whichthe lever of the closing mechanism is adapted to bear to hold the lidclosed. After such boxes have been in service over considerable periods,the repeated opening and closing of the lids and possibly the vibrationof the parts has resulted in Wearing away the bearings to such an extentthat the pins do not occupy their proper positions; at the same time thefaces of the hollow portions between the bearings have been worn away,in some instances even to the extent of exposing the interior of thelug. This has resulted in inferior operation of the older types of lids,and has proved especially troublesome when a lid in accordance with mycopending application is applied to such a box. Due to the defectivelug, it has been found, this type of lid does not remain tightly closed,and in some cases cannot be readily opened.

An object of the present invention is accordingly to provide formanufacturing or reconditioning journal box lugs in a simple andefficient manner to produce a lug which is superior to those previouslyemployed and particularly suited for use in combination with lids of thetype described in my prior patent. Other objects and advantages of theinvention will be in part pointed out and in part apparent from thedetailed description which will follow.

In order to illustrate one manner `of carrying out the inventionreference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section, partly broken away through a journal boxhaving the original lug and the type of lid disclosed in the patentreferred to.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly broken away,` of the constructionshown in Fig. l with the lid oli` removed.

Fig. 3 is a central, vertical section through a typical lug, worn awaythrough service.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the journal box lug shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a journal box lug after the worn,central part has been cut away in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation, partly broken away,

of a journal box, showing my impro-ved type of lug and a member forpositioning and supporting the central portion of the lug duringassembly. Fig. 7 is a section, taken on the line 1-'I. of Fig. 6, andshowing a clamp for holding said member and the central portion of thelug in proper position while the portions of the lug are securedtogether.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of an improved lug member in accordancewith the invention, and

Fig. 9` is a perspective View of the completed lug and the adjacentportion of a journal box.

Referring rst to Figs. l and 2, there is shown a journal box A havingthe usual or standard American Railway Association hinge lug 2comprising spaced bearing portions 3 for pin 4 and central portion 5having a generally vertical front face 6 and a generally horizontal topface 1 converging to form a nose 8. In older boxes of the typeillustrated the lug is largely hollow and the pin i has its bearing inthe relatively thin walls at the outer` ends of the portions 3.

Ther box is shown provided with a lid B of the type described in mypriorpatent referred to. It is preferably a two-part constructionincluding a closure member 9 adapted to abut. at its upper and lowerportions and along its sides against the upper surface IB and the othersurfaces II surrounding and forming the mouth I2 of the journal box. Thelid B also preferably includes a. housing member I3 having portions I4for engagingover the ends `of pin 4 and thus pivotally supporting themember. As shown in my prior patent the lower end of member I3 ispivotally interlocked with a portion of the closure 9. At anintermediate point I6 the housing member is formed to provide a fulcrumfor atwoarmed lever l1. The upper arm I8 of the lever I'l is adapted tovabut against the face 6 of the lug when the lid is in closed position,and against the face 'I when the lid is open, as shown in dotted linesin Figure l, while the lowerarm I9 is adapted to be urged outwardly fromthe mouth of the box by a coil spring (not shown) operatively interposedunder compression between the lower end of arm I9 and the closure member9. Such a spring is shown in my prior patent referred to. As made clearin my prior patent the spring is adapted to urge the upper end I8 of thelever I'I against the surface Ii of the lug so that the reaction willserve to maintain the lid in closed position. When the lid is opened theportion I8 rides over the nose 8 and bears against face l, at which timethe reaction is such as to maintain the lid in open position. The leverI'l is preferably of such width at its upper end as to bear only uponthe central portion 5 of the lug and not upon the portions 3 of the lug.

When a journal box of the type illustrated is rst put into service it isprovided with circular openings 23, indicated in dot and dash lines inFigure 3, in the portions 3 at either end of the lug for receiving andsupporting the pivot Vpin 3. After the lug has been in service forextended periods, repeated opening and closing of the lid, and possiblyVibration of the structure, results in wearing Yaway the bearingsurfaces of the openings 23 so that they are considerably enlarged, forinstance to the extent indicated in full lines at 24. Furthermore, thesurfaces 6 and l' adjacent the nose 8, as well as the nose itself,become worn away, often until there is a clear opening into the interiorof the lug, as shown at 25 in Figs. 3 and 4, between front and topportions 26 and 2', respectively, of the lug. When an improved lid ofthe type described in my prior patent is placed on abox having the lugworn away, in somewhat the manner indicated, it has been found that theoperation of the lid is impaired. More specifically, it is oftendifficult tol open the lid, apparently due to the end I8 of the leverbecoming caught in the worn portion of the lug, and moreover the liddoes not under these conditions, tightly close the mouth of the journalbox. Large numbers of such partially worn journal boxes are in service,and they are still capable of considerable further use except for theworn condition of the hinge lugs. In order to satisfactorily employ aclosure on these boxes, and particularly my improved lid, it isnecessary or highly desirable to provide a new lug on the box inaccordance with the present invention. This effects considerable savingsince it avoids discarding many old boxes which would otherwise besubstantially useless. The saving is particularly great where thejournal boxes are formed integral with the side frame of a. car truck,as is often the case. Furthermore, this invention enables themodification or replacement of certain types of journal box lugs, whichdo not conform to standard American Railway Association specifications,and which are not adapted, without such change, to support my improvedlid.

I shall now describe my simple, inexpensive and effective method ofmanufacturing, modifying or reconstructing journal boxes to provide themwith improved lugs particularly adapted for cooperation with my improvedlid.

VIn reconstructing a worn journal box lug, the central portion 5 of thelug may be cut away as shown in Fig. 4 along the lines a, b` and c. Thismay be accomplished by an acetylene torch, or this portion of thecasting may be removed in any other convenient manner. The portions ofthe lug remaining after this operation are illustrated in Fig. 5.

Within the cut-away portion there may then be inserted a member 30 ofsuitable shape having front face 6', top face I and nose 8, as shown inFigs. 6, 7,8 and 9. This member 30 may be formed of any suitablematerial which is preferably, although not necessarily, superior inwear-resisting properties to the metal of which the casting includinglug portions 3 is formed. For instance, it may be formed or forged oropen hearth steel, or as a casting of a highly wearresistant steel, orthe like, depending upon the wear-resistant properties desired. Thewidth of the member is such that it is adapted to be interposed betweenthe lug portions 3, with its ends adjacent the inner faces of saidportions. The member 30 is formed with an opening 3| of such size as toreceive and form a suitable bearing for a pivot pin of normal orstandard size; it is preferably of the same diameter as the openings instandard A. R. A. lugs.

The member 33 is preferably welded to the portions 3 of the lug, and itis desirable to provide for supporting the member in convenient mannerupon the journal box during the welding operation. This is particularlyimportant where the box is formed integral with the side frame. For thispurpose, I have devised a supporting member or tool which may comprisean arm 32 adapted to lie over the mouth of the box and' rest upon theupper and lower surfaces I 0 and Il. Secured to the arm 32, or formedintegral therewith, is a transverse arm 33 having fingers 3ft bentrearwardly at an angle of slightly less than 90 and adapted to rest uponthe upper surface 35 of the top of the journal box at either side of thelug portions 3, as best shown in Fig. 6. The upper end of the arm 32,above the arm 33, may be provided with portions or fingers 36 turnedinwardly toward the rear of the box and i adapted to underlie the member30 to support it at the desired height. A central portion 31 of theupper end of arm 33, between portions 35, may extend substantiallyvertically or about at right angles to the portions 33, and is adaptedtoabut against the front face 6 of member 33 in order to position it inproper relation to the mouth of the box. For holding the member 3!) inplace against the rear surface of portion 31, a screw clamp 38 may beemployed, as shown in Fig. 7. No special means need be employed forholding the supporting device against the box, since the mouth of thebox is inclined and the weight of the device is suiiicient to hold itproperly against this inclined face. As indicated, the member 30 ispreferably supported so that the center line of the opening 3| isaligned with the normal centers of the openings 23 in the hinge lug asinitially manufactured. Through the arrangement just described, thepositioning and supporting of the member 30 may be accomplished in arapid and facile manner, by simply putting the tool in place andsuitably holding the member 30 on the tool. By constructing the lingers34 and 36 parallel and generally straight, provision is made forwithdrawing the tool after the member 30 is secured in place.

In securing the member 3U to the lug portions 3, it is preferable, asmentioned, to weld the parts together. Where a weld is to be employedfor this purpose, it is desirable to bevel or chamfer the edges of themember 3D, as shown at 40. Welding material may be applied at suitablepoints preferably at the top and rear at both ends of the member 30, asshown at 4I and 42. I-Iowever, if desired, the parts may be weldedtogether around any convenient portion of the perimeter of the member30, or a continuous weld may be employed. While this aifords anextremely simple manner of providing a sturdy connection between theportions of the lug, it will be understood that other practical ways ofsecuring the member 3G may be employed.

Through the present invention, there is provided a superior bearingsurface for the hinge pin, inasmuch as the pin bears on the wall of theopening 3l throughout the entire length of the member 33, whereas inprior constructions, the bearings for the pin are merely the relativelythin wall portions at either end of the lug, as best shown in Fig. 5.Furthermore, by reason of the improved construction of the 111g,particularly when member 3c is formed, as is preferable, of relativelywear-resistant material as compared to usual hinge lugs, the Wearingaway of the surfaces against which the lever arm I8 bears, may bereduced to a minimum. Moreover, the construction is exceptionally sturdyand durable and, particularly in combination with my improved lid, givesexcellent results. The operations are simple to carry out, and may beperformed without disassembling the journal boxes from the car trucks.

While my invention has been described in con nection with a particulartype of lid with which it is of special value, it will be understoodthat it may be used also in relation to other types of lids. Furthermorewhile the invention has been explained with reference to the modicationof old journal box lugs the advantage of applying a special, preformedlug of good, wear resisting qualities might be utilized even inconnection with new boxes.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described, or portions thereof, but recognize thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the inventionclaimed.

I claim:

1. A method of reconstructing a journal box hinge lug, which comprisesburning out the central portion of the hinge lug casting to providespaced side portions, supporting on said box a preformed member ttingfreely between said side portions with front and top bearing surfacesproperly positioned with reference to fixed surfaces on the box, anduniting said member with said spaced portions.

2. A method of reclaiming a worn journal box hinge lug which comprisescutting away the cen,- ter portion of a worn hinge lug, supporting onsaid box an apertured, preformed member fitting freely between theremaining portions of said lug with its aperture substantially alignedwith the original lug aperture, and Welding the member to said portions.

3. A method of forming an improved A. R. A. standard journal box hingelug which comprises cutting away the central portion of a hinge lug, onan existing box, engaging a supporting member over the mouth of thejournal box, positioning an apertured, preformed lug member on saidsupporting member freely between the remaining portions of the originallug, and welding said lastnamed member to said portions.

4. A method of reclaiming a worn journal box hinge lug which comprisescutting away the center portion of a worn hinge lug to leave twoupstanding apertured ears, supporting on said box a preformed lug membertting freely between said ears with its front and bottom faces inpredetermined relation to the mouth of the box, and uniting said memberwith said ears.

5. A method of reclaiming a Worn journal box hinge lug which comprisescutting away the center portion of a worn hinge lug to leave twoupstanding apertured ears, supporting on said box a preformed lug memberfitting freely between said ears with its bottom face at a predetermineddistance above the top of the box mouth and its front face inpredetermined relation to the plane of the box mouth, and uniting saidmember with said ears.

HARRY O. NEKOLA.

